By Daniel Edu
The newly-appointed Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, has stated that the military regime will survive the sanctions imposed on the country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This comes as military generals in Niger Republic have announced their intention to prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for high treason.
Zeine, in an interview with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, expressed confidence that despite the challenges posed by the sanctions, the regime will overcome them.
Niger’s military leaders, in a statement read on national television, announced their decision to prosecute Bazoum for high treason and for undermining both the internal and external security of the country. This move follows the imposition of sanctions by ECOWAS and their threat to use force against the military junta that ousted Bazoum in a coup on July 26.
ECOWAS has also approved the deployment of a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger, while continuing efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
Meanwhile, religious mediators met with coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, who indicated openness to diplomatic resolutions. Tiani claimed that the coup was intended to prevent an imminent threat that would have affected both Nigeria and Niger.
The United States expressed dismay over the military regime’s plan to try detained President Bazoum, asserting that such action would worsen tensions and hinder peaceful resolution of the crisis.
In response to the situation, former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Chief Frank Kokori, expressed support for ECOWAS’s efforts to restore normalcy to Niger Republic. He also urged Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and allow time for planned actions to take effect.
The developments in Niger Republic have brought attention to the complex dynamics involving coup d’états, diplomatic responses, and regional stability in West Africa.
